Page 42 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

Dinnerisfilledwitheasy conversation, teasing and lots of laughter. My cheeks are sore from all the smiling. But the joy I feel is tempered by a heaviness that’s weighing down my heart watching their collective unit.

Picking up my coffee, I try to get rid of the longing twisting my gut and causing the corner of my lips to dip.

“This apple crisp is great, Cat!” Ava shoves another piece in her mouth as she places her hand on Duncan’s arm. “You need to get this recipe from her.”

“I know how to make apple crisp,” Duncan grumbles, rolling his eyes.

“Honey, you are the best baker,” Ava says after she swallows, then leans in and kisses his cheek. “But there is something in this that you’re missing. Taste it.”

She lifts her fork to his mouth. He glares at it before taking the apple crisp from it. My cheek pulls up as his eyebrows shoot past his hairline.

“See?” Ava asks.

Duncan nods and turns toward me, the ingredient question in his eyes. “Pumpkin pie spice.”

“And cinnamon?” Duncan takes Ava’s fork and grabs another piece from her plate.

“Nope, just pumpkin pie spice. My Aunt Dottie tried it one day, and we never went back.”

“I can see why!” Their easy banter warms me, but the ache of feeling like an outsider stings.

“So,” David clears his throat, pushing the remaining apple crisp around his plate. He’s been quietly watching for the last five minutes. “There’s something I—we,” he points his fork toward me. “Need to tell you.”

“You’re dating,” Ava says nonchalantly, as she scoops more apple crisp on her plate. “I take that back Duncan, you are not allowed to make this.”

Duncan’s adoration for Ava, shining in his eyes, leaves an ache so deep it steals my breath. I want someone to look at me like that.

When he turns to look at David, his gaze dances with curiosity.

“You’re dating?” Scarlett yells excitedly, causing Emmy to bark and run out from under the table. She pumps her fist in the air. “Yes!”

“Not exactly,” David coughs, a flush covering his cheeks.

I take a gulp of water and add. “It’s a bit complicated.”

“Oooh,” Ava glances between me and David, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands. “I think this is going to be good.”

I swallow hard, wiping my palms on my pants under the table. Glancing over at David, his gaze is down on his plate.

“You know I’ve been struggling to keep my head above water since getting Emmy,” David mutters. “Well, even before then.”

Ava reaches over and rests a hand on David’s arm, and he covers it with his hand.

“You’re doing great, Daddy!” Scarlett runs over and gives David a hug. My heart squeezes, and once again a longing rises up. “Right, Emmy?”

Emmy lets out a full-bodied ‘WOOOF’ before running over and picking up a toy. I think it’s a pig from a basket full of dog toys. She proceeds to prance around squeaking it, loud ‘oinks’ following as she moves around the house.

“Thank you, baby girl,” David pulls Scarlett close to him, and his eyes radiate a tenderness that makes my chest swell. “But we all know I’m a bit of a mess.”

“You know that me and Duncan are here whenever you need us,” Ava says reassuringly. Duncan nods next to her.

“You two have been amazing, and I never would’ve been able to function without you.” David lets out a tired sigh, one that feels like he’s carrying the weight of the world. “But you’re both as busy as I am.”

I glance across the table and see the truth reflected in Duncan and Ava’s faces. They know that what he’s saying is true.

Ava turns sparkling eyes my way, a mischievous grin on her face. “So what does this have to do with you and Cat?”

I swallow past the soccer ball that’s suddenly lodged in my throat, feeling everyone’s gaze on me, including David’s.

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